NameCensus.

UK surname

Summerlin

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "summer pasture" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Summerlin surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 143, ranked #24,505, down from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stagsden, Bedford St Paul and Wollaston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sefton, South Cambridgeshire and Cotswold.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Summerlin is 154 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 116.7%.

1881 census count

66

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

143

2016, ranked #24,505

Peak year

1998

154 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Summerlin had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 143 in 2016, ranked #24,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 146 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Summerlin surname distribution map

The map shows where the Summerlin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Summerlin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Summerlin over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 51 #24,096
1861 historical 53 #27,253
1881 historical 66 #24,256
1891 historical 93 #24,965
1901 historical 134 #19,288
1911 historical 146 #18,179
1997 modern 142 #21,856
1998 modern 154 #21,316
1999 modern 151 #21,740
2000 modern 147 #22,081
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 148 #22,087
2003 modern 145 #22,172
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 142 #22,577
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 140 #23,231
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 135 #24,594
2010 modern 137 #24,907
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 137 #24,731
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 142 #24,734
2015 modern 141 #24,723
2016 modern 143 #24,505

Geography

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Where Summerlins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stagsden, Bedford St Paul, Wollaston, Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict and Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sefton, South Cambridgeshire, Cotswold and South Derbyshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Stagsden Bedfordshire
2 Bedford St Paul Bedfordshire
3 Wollaston Northamptonshire
4 Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict Cambridgeshire
5 Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sefton 003 Sefton
2 South Cambridgeshire 006 South Cambridgeshire
3 South Cambridgeshire 015 South Cambridgeshire
4 Cotswold 009 Cotswold
5 South Derbyshire 006 South Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Summerlin

These lists show first names that appear often with the Summerlin surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Summerlin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Summerlin, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Summerlin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Summerlin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Summerlin is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Summerlin is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Summerlin falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Summerlin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Summerlin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Summerlin

The surname Summerlin is an English locational name that originated in the county of Lancashire, England. It is derived from the Old English words "sumor" meaning summer and "lēah" meaning a meadow or clearing, referring to a summertime pasture or meadow.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Summerlin dates back to the 13th century in Lancashire. It is believed to have been derived from the place name Somerley or Summerley, which was first documented in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, the village of Somerley is listed as "Sumrelei," indicating the long-standing presence of the name in the region. The surname Summerlin is thought to have originated from this location, with families adopting the name based on their place of residence or origin.

Notable individuals with the surname Summerlin include William Summerlin, a merchant and landowner in Lancashire who lived in the 16th century. Records show that he owned properties in the town of Preston and surrounding areas.

Another prominent figure was John Summerlin, born in 1672, who served as a magistrate and Justice of the Peace in Lancashire during the early 18th century. He played an influential role in local governance and administration.

In the 19th century, Thomas Summerlin (1802-1879) was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Lancashire, including churches and public edifices. His work left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the region.

Across the Atlantic, Benjamin Summerlin (1785-1867) was an early settler in the American South, establishing himself as a farmer and landowner in Georgia. He and his descendants contributed significantly to the development of the local community.

Another notable figure is Elizabeth Summerlin (1910-1998), who was a pioneering educator and advocate for children's rights in the United States. She dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children and was widely respected for her work.

The surname Summerlin has a rich history rooted in the English countryside, with its origins dating back to the medieval period. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving their mark on local and regional histories.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Summerlin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Summerlin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Bedfordshire leads with 36 Summerlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 108.04x.

County Total Index
Bedfordshire 36 108.04x
Northamptonshire 10 16.52x
Cambridgeshire 8 19.63x
Sussex 5 4.61x
Derbyshire 4 3.97x
Kent 3 1.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stagsden in Bedfordshire leads with 15 Summerlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 12500.00x.

Place Total Index
Stagsden 15 12500.00x
Wollaston 10 3030.30x
Bedford St Paul 9 393.01x
St Andrewthe Less 6 128.76x
Biddenham 4 5714.29x
Kempston 4 526.32x
Lewes St Ann 4 1081.08x
Long Eaton 4 300.75x
Lewisham 3 25.62x
Cranfield 2 625.00x
Marston Moretaine 2 769.23x
Orwell 2 1111.11x
Selmeston 1 2500.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Summerlin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 6
Eliza 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Elizabeth 2
Salley 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Caroline 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Lizzie 1
Love 1
Mable 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Summerlin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Charles 3
George 3
John 3
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Austin 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
W. 2
William 2
Albert 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Owin 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Summerlin households.

FAQ

Summerlin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Summerlin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Summerlin surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Summerlin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 143 in 2016. That gives Summerlin a modern rank of #24,505.

What does the Summerlin surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "summer pasture" in Old English.

What does the Summerlin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Summerlin bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.